Glastonbury Festival – at Worthy Farm – Pilton, England

One of this year's headlining acts was causing a major controversy - Metallica, a brave choice by Michael Eavis. Heavy metal was coming to the Pyramid stage, where so far no metal band had graced the stage.

The previous day lightning had forced the closure of some area, but when Metallica took to the stage there was electricity in the air.

It started with a Julien Temple video about deceased actor Eli Wallach, which then turned into a video about fox hunting. This was this a dig at the UK as there had been a petition to try and get the band removed from playing due to James Hetfield's recent controversy of narrating a documentary about bear hunting. The video ended with four bears wielding rifles shooting the fox hunters, when the bear masks were removed it revealed the four members of Metallica in the costumes. A huge roar went up and the screen said "Are you ready for Glastallica?" James Hetfield strolled on to the stage to say "we are proud to be here and bring the heavier side of music to Glastonbury".
There wasn't as big a crowd as the previous night's headliner Arcade Fire, but there was still a healthy draw to see them. As soon as they started "Creeping Death" metal was finally here, the crowd was really getting into it by the second song "For Whom The Bell Tolls".
In between songs Hetfield said how grateful they were to be there and represent the heavier side of music. They have apparently been wanting to play for years. As a band that has played most places coming up with something that you haven't done must be quite a rarity. "Master of Puppets", "Nothing Else Matters" and "Enter Sandman" all had the crowd singing along. The band went off and came back on to do Thin Lizzy's "Whisky in a Jar". They released loads of Metallica beach balls into the crowd to throw about which was great fun.

Other highlights were:

Manic Street Preachers - it had been a while since the Manics had played Glastonbury. They were straight in with "Motor Cycle Emptiness" which was quickly followed by "Your Love Alone is Not Enough". Nicky Wire was jumping all over the place, 20 years after their Glastonbury debut they were on form as the sun was going down.

Robert Plant- it was absolutely pelting down with rain when Robert Plant started, but it was a must see show with everyone hoping for some Led Zepplin classics. We only got one, "Whole Lotta Love" but his distinct vocals make it worth while.

Anti Flag - legendary US punk quartet brought some fiery anthems and political songs to the festival. I only caught 3 songs but they were sounding good, loads of fast played guitars and jumping about.

Maxi Priest - I legged it up to the Gully stage for 11pm for the Maxi Priest gig, only to be kept waiting for them to do a 40 minute soundcheck. Finally they came on and we were hoping for some relaxed reggae vibes, but what we got was "Wild World" and "Some Guys Have all the Luck". They are classics but Maxi kept putting his guitarists on the speakers to play solos, which to me seemed more rock than reggae. I left early disappointed.

　
Yoko Ono - I could see 81 year old Yoko standing at the side of the stage, dancing about looking excited about being there. She came out and and launched into a rant about fracking and looking after your country that our ancestors saved for us. She was literally screaming down the mic, with vocals added in now and then. There were no sing alongs here, it was experimental, sometimes quite zany, and was one of those must see shows but once would probably be enough.

Dolly Parton - This was easily the most anticipated gig of the whole festival, and Dolly drew in the biggest crowd of the weekend. She did not disappoint, with her dry humor and clear vocals she put on an excellent show. Despite playing a few new songs the crowd were kept happy with her classics.

"Jolene" was fun and "9 to 5" was obviously a hit. She even played a song which was written that morning and inspired by the festival. Entitled "Mud" it went down a treat with everyone singing along! As an extra surprise Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi fame joined Dolly on stage for her rendition of "Lay Your Hands on Me". She finished off with "I Will Always Love You", which she actually wrote.

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

-Dod Morrison-
Big Wheel Overseas Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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From the Jam – at The Lemon Tree – Aberdeen, UK – May 18, 2014

From the Jam are undoubtedly one of the hardest working bands around at the moment and their Sunday night gig at the Lemon Tree just proves this point. The band have been around since 2007 with Bruce Foxton at the helm and he's more than ably assisted by Russell Hastings on vocals and the outstanding Steve Smiley Barnard on drums.

From the first few bars of the 1979 hit, Strange Town, the band were on fire and the crowd lapped it up. Bruce is still as energetic these days as he was in the hey days of the Jam and always manages to throw in a few of his legendary high kicks. Russell even commented on how Bruce had been at the gym prior to the gig. That's dedication!

They played all the old classics that always get the crowd going including When You're Young (1979), Eton Rifles (1979) and Going Underground(1980). Although the crowd these days are predominantly of a ' certain age' it still doesn't stop them from bouncing about and fully enjoying the atmosphere and I imagine there would be a few sore joints the next day with me included! It's nice to see a younger generation also appreciating the music that they've probably been introduced to by their parents while growing up.

The first set closed with 'A' Bomb In Wardour Street, from the 1978 album All Mod Cons and the band returned to do a phenomenal encore of Down In The Tube Station At Midnight(1978), Beat Surrender from 1982 which was the Jam's final single then finished off with Town Called Malice(1982). The evening finished all too soon but us oldies all went home more than happy as Russell promised the band would return in November to tour the Setting Sons album. I would urge any of you who haven't seen From The Jam yet to mark the date in your diary and get a ticket when they go on sale. See ya down the front!

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

-Rock Chick-
Big Wheel Overseas Contributor

 

 

 

 

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Zyanose – Frenzy – Battleshok – Stark Moon – Deep Ends – at Munoz Gym – Bakersfield, CA

Once again Munoz Gym proved it was the sickest DIY venue in California. Hardcore Hell Presents put on yet another great underground Punk show in the slums of Bakersfield, this time featuring Zyanose (from Japan), Frenzy, Battleshok, Stark Moon and Deep Ends.
 

Natalie, Bakersfield local and singer for Deep Ends reminisced about her first years of going to Punk shows and the Gym "I started going to shows in 97 but I didn't know anything about Punk except I was into it, but I was so young I had no access to finding out more other than other hoodlums. Well this show was the first I went to that actually felt "right". Wolfpack, Axiom, Armistice at Munoz Gym, summer 2000."

Deep Ends (making their debut that night of many shows to come.)
Photo by Mario Reyes III

Monuz Gym was packed May Day with a line out the door. The bands and promoters involved, drew a crowd from all over California. Words are great, but I think these photos express what went down that night better than a thousand of them. Enjoy!

Stark Moon

 

Battleshok

Frenzy

Zyanose

Natalie also had this to say, "Bakersfield's all time best Punk venue, Munoz Gym, put us on the map and keeps us there. Keep packing the Gym! No other venue has you get in the ring with the band!"

Munoz Gym puts on a ton of Punk shows every year, it would be definitely worth your time to check this place out. Bakersfield Punks know how to party like non other!

Keep up with future shows HERE

- Big Wheel Magazine  -

 

 

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The Toy Dolls with The Adolescents – at The Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA

April 17th 2014 marked yet another significant night in L.A. Punk history, the triumphant return of one of the genres most passionately adored acts, Toy Dolls. After more than a fifteen-year absence from their L.A. fan base, the Toy Dolls brought more than just a catalog of classic tunes and trademark sunglasses, they invited a collection of familiar faces to join them in a fun filled evening of debauchery.

Local Punks and Skins converged on the iconic Henry Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, the anticipation and energy loomed in the air like the thick layer of pollution we’ve grown accustomed to. Patrons streamed out of cabs and subway stations taking up residence in the surrounding area, pre-gaming, bar hopping and shooting the breeze as nobody dared stray too far from the nights main attraction. With eyes and beers focused squarely on the Toy Dolls, it was forgivable for some to lose sight of the nights opening act, but still entirely foolish to do so. Southern Californian Punk icons, The Adolescents, were first to stir shit up on the legendary Hollywood stage.

As the Henry Fonda brimmed with boots, studs, and leathers. Fans of all sizes and ages dotted the classic interior of the timeless theatre, from the painted walls and Victorian-chandeliers that hover overhead near the balcony seating to the maximum capacity, scratched, beer stained, dance floor below. The Adolescents, after 35 years, remain as one of Hardcore Punks most notable and widely influential bands. The 1981 album release of ‘Adolescents’ still finds itself as the soundtrack for young disenfranchised Punks and will for generations to follow.

As the now jam packed dance floor was soon to find out, Tony, Steve and The Adolescents still move a pit like no other. Some Punks were reluctant to join in the pit at first, but all it took was a song they recognized. Playing several tunes from their later releases Punks raised fists and sang along but not until ‘Word Attack’ was unleashed, as well was the inner Punks built up aggression and angst. As the pit whirled and slammed sending those unsuspecting by standers scurrying for cover. The tone was set, beers flew and timeless classics blared from the speakers in all its magnificent and distortion rich glory ‘Creatures’ and ‘O.C. Confidential’ turned things inside out and Punks propelled themselves into the air, some crowed surfed and some tossed beers singing along throughout the entirety of the bands set. Tunes like ‘Amoeba’ rendered the capacity audience in a balled fist sing along. Big Wheel Magazine has had the pleasure of catching tons of Adolescents performances over the decades, and one thing remains a constant: ‘Kids Of The Black Hole’ will forever rip open any pit. And Thursday night was no different.

 
With one last opportunity to hit up the Blue Palms Brew House for well-priced stiff drinks, Punks were well lubricated and ready for the evening’s main attraction, the Toy Dolls. As the lights cut out, giving way to darkness, a loud roar washed over the Henry Fonda as Olga, “The Amazing Mr. Duncan’ and “Tommy Goober” took center stage.

Wasting no time the pair of Olga and Goober launched into synchronized rhythmic strumming as they performed “Cloughy Is A boot Boy” to the delight of everyone, Sporting their trademark sunglasses and coordinated cardigans and ties. The energy was infectious, as multiple pits sprung up out of sheer excitement. 

As Olga ran back and forth across the Henry Fonda stage with his unmistakable smile and guitar proficiency, fans pogoed and swung fists to all the classics including ‘She Goes To Finos” “Lambrusco Kid” “Alec's Gone” “Dougy Giro” “Nellie The Elephant” and “Fiery Jack”.

The Atmosphere was that of light-hearted high energy fun and laughs, similar to an Adicts show in the sense that the stage performance was just as good as the songs being performed. The act even included a giant oversized champagne bottle spewing confetti and tandem spinning guitars, choreographed like something out of a ZZ Top video.

The three-piece held court for over an hour, delighting all with everything from a Johann Sebastian Bach tune (Toccata) and “Spiders In The Dressing Room”, to "Fake Chest Hair, Punks waited years for the opportunity to revel in Olga’s timeless voice, made apparent by the deafening cheers for an encore after the band had exited.

To the fans delight, they followed up their brilliant performance with a couple more tunes including “Dig That Groove Baby’. Fans no doubt cheered and pleaded for one more encore but the night had to come to an end. And so it went, etched into the history books of unforgettable LA performances.

For those wanting more of the Toy Dolls, their “Tour After The Last One 2014” Continues as their next stop is Coachella. That would only run you $800 and a day worth of d-bags wearing the wrong type of sunglasses.

-Gio Van Dam-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

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Fat Hippy Records Battle of the Bands – at Downstairs – Aberdeen, UK

Fat Hippy Records started in October 2002, and have done over 60 releases since then and worked with literally hundreds of bands along the way.This year they decided to hold a competition with the winners getting a first prize worth more than £5000 including a few hundred hours in the recording studio, Manufacture, Pr, and distribution for 1000 of the finished EP or album.

There is also a possibility of a UK launch tour...
For this competition over 100 bands entered, that was narrowed down to around 50 we thought were worthy and then that had to be narrowed down to 32 for the first rounds in January.



So the Final came down to 4 bands
 
BLOODNUT – A metal/hard rock Hybrid who played there 30 minute set which down well with the crowd...

DEAR JOHN- a 3 piece band who utilise loops, abstract sounds and visuals...



RAY BOWER – A metal band with a lead singer who likes to wander into the crowd...



UTN - who it is said play songs that hark bark to the days of solid rock, they entered the stage with the lead singer in a coffin...

Each band only had 30 minutes to play as if there lives or in this case a record deal depended on it, and they all did, each with there own set of fans chanting there name, it was the hard task for the Captain Tom ( owner of Fat Hippy records) to pick a winner..
 
Quote from Tom After the dust had settled.

"It's been really hard having to let some quality bands go as we went through the QF's and SF's. We really would have been happy to sign all 8 of the Semi Finalists, which is why we decided to take 2 winners from the Final as the standard of bands was so high we really wanted them both.

Massive congratulations and a warm welcome to Fat Hippy for Ray Brower and Dear John - Band who both won record deals with us at last nights Fat Hippy Battle Of The Bands Final at Downstairs. Can't wait to get some of your mighty tunes released to the world! Wow! What a gig last night for the Final of the battle at Downstairs! Incredible turnout, massive thanks to everyone who came along and supported, you made it an amazing night that just goes to show how mighty the Aberdeen music scene is!

The bands all played exceptionally well and it was insanely difficult to pick a winner. Which is why we decided to have 2 winners and give record deals with Fat Hippy Records to both Ray Brower and Dear John. So mighty congratulations to both of them and welcome to the label. Pleasure to have you on board, looking forward to getting you into the studio at Captain Toms to demo some tracks.

In a very very very very close 2nd place to our 2 winners were UTN who won a very tidy £1000 merch deal with our lovely sponsors II Music. Congratulations to them and Bloodnut who came in an equally very very very close third place and picked up 3rd prize of a 19” crash cymbal from Masterwork Cymbals Scotland’s and 4th prize of a load of booze Downstairs. So everyone’s a winner!

Big thanks to everyone that watched online as well, we had more technical problems than should be allowed in one night ever but our kreopix stream team did a great job of bringing you all as much live coverage as possible. Hope you all enjoyed fine performances from our presenters Scott Ironside and Magenta Lust as much as we did.

We’ll releasing details of our plans with Ray Brower and Dear John as soon we’ve made them and getting the best bits of the live stream up on kpx.tv for you to watch back as soon as we can…  "

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

-Dod Morrison-
Big Wheel Overseas Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Musink 2014 – Gorilla Biscuits – Judge – H2O – Strife – and Soul Search – at The Orange County Fairgrounds – Costa Mesa, CA

The last day of Musink 2014 kicked off with smaller but dedicated fan base for Hardcore legends Gorilla Biscuits, Judge and H2O.

Before the performances of the third day of Musink are covered we at Big Wheel Magazine were lucky enough to meet and interview Sen Dog (Cypress Hill) who happened to be on the booth floor talking with his partner in Hound Squad (houndsquad.com), Luciano Aguilar (Air force Veteran Dog Handler).

BW: When did you get word that you would be doing the show?

SD: About a week ago Travis hit me up and asked me if I would like to do that song we did together a while back called “Not Today.” Then went to the rehearsal room with those guys for about 3 days and worked it out then got up there last night and jammed it and had a really good time.

BW: What do you have going on with Hound Squad?

SD: This is my new clothing line I’m promoting. My partner Luciano Aguilar, who I had worked with on different projects, approached me with the idea to get something going for that dude with his pit-bull.

BW: What do you think about the festival in general and what do you think about the performances?

SD: Well first of all, all the bands that played throughout this weekend have been incredible. I saw some really cool thing as well as some legendary musicians. As far as the whole festival in general I think it was a success. I think Musink does a great job at bringing both music and tattoo cultures together. I definitely got to give Travis a big shout out for that.

Soul Search opened up the musical performances for the final day of Musink 2014. Their set was well done and set the stage perfectly for Strife to follow.

Strife's lead singer Rick Rodney took the stage next by jumping into some aggressive guitar riffs and a bloody lip Rodney and his band immediately gave the kind of high impact performance Strife is famous for. Their entire performance was as energetic and pronounced as it was when it began.

H2O was the next band up of the night. Though they tour fairly regularly, they don't visit the west coast often. Hardcore Punk legends in their own right H2O opened up with “Nothing to Prove,” and the audience responded with the biggest circle pit of Musink 2014. About half way through their set Travis Barker stepped in to play drums for “One life, One Chance” and they finished their performance with “What Happened?”

Judge took the stage next. A band that has influenced countless of other bands to start playing, Judge proved once again that they are more than their mythology. Judges performance was hardcore musical chaos at its finest. Judge delivered a set that seemed to draw the entirety of the fairgrounds to their performance, and jumping onto and off stage in true Hardcore fashion.

The final band of Musink 2014 was Gorilla Biscuits. They have been together since the late 1980s and have not lost a step since the day they were formed. During their set Anthony Cicarelli (Lead Vocals) talked about how he and his band was responsible for changing the stage set up that featured an extended stage allowing for fans to jump off and crowd surf from. Gorilla Biscuits opened with “New Direction” and as the trumpets of that song sounded off those fans in attendance that had drifted to other parts of the venue made their way to the stage. Gorilla Biscuits followed “New Direction” with “Degradation” which they dedicated to the Descendents. Their entire set was played with the energy and vigor that I could contend with any band today.

Once Gorilla Biscuits set ended that crowd dispersed and brought an end to Musink 2014.

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

-Ryan R.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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